GARNER STATE PARK
Garner State Park is located about an hour and a half west of San Antonio and offers breathtaking views of the famous Texas Hill Country. For a variety of reasons, the park draws a lot of people. There are 16 miles of trails to hike, 2.9 miles of Frio River access, and 1,774 acres to set up camp on. The distance to Old Baldy may only be half a mile, but don't underestimate it. The first five minutes of the 45-minute hike are the most taxing on your lungs due to the trail's ascent. But the sights are well worth the effort. The Old Horse Trail (0.5 miles) and the Donoval Trail (0.7 miles) are two short, easy routes that will satisfy your longing for nature. Frio Canyon Trail (at 2.9 miles) is the longest. It's simple and flat, and the hills can be seen from anywhere.
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Government Canyon State Natural Area is one of the most underrated parks in San Antonio. The 12,244-acre park is well hidden on the Far Westside, despite its proximity to the busy 1604 highway at Culebra Road. There are over 40 miles of trails throughout the park that are perfect for biking and hiking. There are the only publicly accessible dinosaur tracks in Bexar County, which date back 110 million years and can be seen along a popular route, the Joe Johnston Route.
HILL COUNTRY STATE NATURAL AREA
The undiscovered gem, Hill Country State Natural Area, is located about an hour's drive northwest of San Antonio. A 5,000-acre park in Bandera County was once a ranch and now boasts rocky canyons, picturesque plateaus, and calm creek bottoms.
GUADALUPE RIVER STATE PARK
Guadalupe River State Park is approximately 39 miles north of San Antonio's downtown. The park's main attraction is the Guadalupe River, which runs through it for four miles. About 13 miles of paths are available for hiking and cycling. There are a variety of trails to explore, from the 2.86-mile Painted Bunting Trail to the 0.3-mile River Overlook Trail. Hiking and biking trails ranging from moderate to difficult are available in the isolated Bauer Unit Day-Use Area for those seeking a more primitive adventure. Explore the diverse Hill Country forests, home to native prairie grasses, wildlife, and an abundance of spring seeps.
